Delhi Capitals v Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL Tips: Early squeeze from RCB

• RCB excellent with ball in first 6

• Pandey toppy at 7/1

• Kohli boosted

Delhi Capitals v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Sunday 25 September, 00:00
TV: Live on BT Sports

Team news

Delhi just about kept themselves alive with a stunning heist against Gujarat last time. They would probably need eight wins (they currently have three) and a positive net run rate to have any chance of the play-offs. It's unlikely.

One change from the side that beat Gujarat could be Mitch Marsh returning instead of Rilee Rossouw who has struggled.

Possible XII: Salt, Warner, Garg, M Marsh, Pandey, Axar, Hakim Khan, Ripal, Nortje, Kuldeep, Ishant, Khaleel

Bangalore defended 126 against Lucknow last time. They have switched to a bowling unit with Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj and Harshal Patel three excellent pace options. Harshal is subbed in for batter Anuj Rawat.

They are not a team which bowlers fear, though. They are decent in the powerplay but have lost their way during the middle overs.

Possible XII: Kohli, Du Plessis, Rawat, Maxwell, Prbhudessai, Karthik, Lomror, Hasaranga, Sharma, Siraj, Hazlewood, Harshal

Pitch report

Delhi is in the bottom three for run rates this term in IPL at 8.3. Sunrisers did manage 197 in the last game played there. Previously KKR had been bowled out for 127. One can be forgiven for not being entirely sure what to expect.

If Delhi bat first, their run rate of 7.5 makes them a potential sell on a par line in the low 170s. RCB are conceding an average of 8.9.

How to play

The golden rule of IPL is to take on RCB when odds-on. They are 1.834/5. It is certainly a swerve although we're a little dispapointed Delhi are not closer to 2.26/5.

They can trade shorter, though. We would prefer if they bowled first to do so. That's because RCB are excellent in the powerplay with the ball and Delhi can be ponderous thanks to David Warner. To that end we would be keen on shorting Delhi for under 48.5 runs in their batting powerplay.

We must also menton the tied match at 34.033/1. There has not been one yet despite some close calls. It could be soon time to start hitting that price.

Tops value

Faf Du Plessis, who is 5/2, has been rock solid on top runscorer for RCB but if his team don't bat first and he's subbed in bets are void. That goes for all player top bets. The player must be in the starting XI. Virat Kohli has been boosted to 11/4 by Sportsbook for top RCB bat and at least will not be on the bench.

Manish Pandey is chunky at 7s on win rate and may be worth a small nibble for top DC. Axar Patel will be popular at 10s. Warner has been upped to 5/2.